Many parents may be hesitant to leave their children home alone at various points throughout the day. There are many potential dangers, but sometimes you and the wife need a night out alone. With that in mind, moms and dads who have children who are (in theory) old enough to be left home alone should take time to go over safety precautions with their kids in case an emergency occurs while they're out of the house.
The first thing to look into is whether or not your kids are old enough to be left home alone. The minimum legal age differs from state-to-state, but is typically between 10 and 12 years old.
One of the most important things to emphasize when leaving kids home alone is that they should not open the door for anyone. Similarly, answering the phone, including how to effectively take messages, should be addressed as well.
Food is an important thing to consider, too. Entrusting your children with preparing a meal could lead to be the potential for disaster. Parents should also take heed to establish an emergency plan for their children. Kids should be aware what to do if they ever have to call 9-1-1.
As a final precautionary measure, parents should ask neighbors or family members to check in on their youngsters regularly to ensure that they are as safe as possible.